10 Pericarditis Symptoms
Pericarditis is a condition where the fibrous sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium) becomes inflamed. It can be infectious or non-infectious. Other potential causes are cancer, a sequel of heart attack, trauma to the chest area, and autoimmune disorders. The diagnosis of pericarditis can often be made based on the symptoms, electrocardiogram changes, and the presence of fluid around the heart.
The symptoms may improve after several days to weeks. However, in some cases, it may take months. Pericarditis is a condition that can lead to complications such as constrictive pericarditis, myocarditis, and cardiac tamponade. It is estimated to affect about 3 per 10,000 individuals annually. It is mostly seen among males between 20 to 50 years old. As many as 30% of patients have more than one episode of pericarditis.
